#OneRun: Thousands to run final mile of Boston Marathon route

Thousands of people will run the final mile of the Boston Marathon Saturday, hell bent on not letting terror tear down their finish line goals.

A look back: The first wave of runners starts the 117th running of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, Massachusetts April 15, 2013. Credit: Reuters

Thousands of people will run the final mile of the Boston Marathon on Saturday, determined not to let terrorism tear down their finish line ambitions.

One Run, which is being promoted online as #OneRun, is set to shut down Kenmore Square around 10 a.m. Saturday, so runners of all levels can make their way to the Copley Square finish line.

The noncompetitive run, which is free and does not require registration, has already gained nearly 2,200 RSVPs on its Facebook event page.

According to organizer and runner J. Alain Ferry, who was stopped near Massachusetts Ave after the April 15 bombs went off near the marathon's finish line, the race is the result of the running community's determination to offer some kind of closure to those affected by the terror attack.

"We hope it will (give) runners and spectators the opportunity to go through the final mile and get back what was taken from them, and bring thousands of people to the Back Bay to spend money at the shops and restaurants that were closed that week."

Jon Ritter-Roderick, another organizer, said he decided to help put together a run almost immediately after the event was cut short.

"We are not concerned about who finishes first, or who finishes last," he said. "Just the show of completing something that was interrupted will be a huge step in the right direction for Boston."

Those who wish to help offset the cost of the race can make a tax-deductible donation online. Updates are available at bostonrunners.com.